USC athletic director Pat Haden is looking far and wide for the Trojans' next head coach, and that includes in the NFL. Per Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, Haden interviewed current Denver Broncos defensive coordinator and acting head coach Jack Del Rio. Del Rio, 50, played for the Trojans from 1981-85 and spent time in the NFL with the Saints, Chiefs, Cowboys, Vikings and Dolphins before entering the coaching ranks.

Ties to the school aside, Del Rio has no collegiate coaching experience. Haden hasn't really tipped his hand when it comes to the program's wish list, and it's smart to interview as many candidates as possible to ensure USC winds up with the right fit. The Trojans will reportedly spend up to $6 million on the right coach, and it can't afford to squander the momentum the team has been building under interim coach Ed Orgeron. Since USC fired Lane Kiffin at an airport terminal following a 62-41 loss to Arizona State on Sept. 28, it has gone 5-1. It hosted College GameDay this Saturday before upsetting Stanford 20-17.

Other names being linked to the Trojans' job include Texas A&M's Kevin Sumlin, Washington's Steve Sarkisian and Vanderbilt's James Franklin. Whichever candidate Haden eventually hires has a high bar to clear.